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If you’ve been keeping up with recent health news you’ve probably heard that hormone therapy may reduce the risk of dementia and possibly the onset of Alzheimer’s in some patients. Have a look at the full story here on the NBC website. The study, undertaken over two years involved 63 post-menopausal women that were voluntarily taking bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Half of the women in the study were asked to stop taking their hormones. Researchers measured the telomeres of each woman at the start and end of the study. (Telomeres are found on the end of each chromosome and protect genes from deteriorating). At the end of the study the women not on hormone therapy that carried the Alzheimer’s gene showed more rapid shortening of the telomeres, indicative of more advanced cellular aging.
Researchers believe that this could mean that hormone replacement therapy may reduce the risk of cellular aging, including the risk of dementia, for those that carry the Alzheimer’s gene. Future studies will be needed to determine the exact implications of this study, but this does provide researchers with a good starting point for future research.

It is not yet proven that hormone replacement therapy can slow the effects of Alzheimer’s. However we do see the dramatic results this treatment can provide every day in our office. Our patients use hormone replacement therapy to boost energy levels, stabilize blood pressure, increase bone strength, boost memory, improve skin tone and more.

As the body ages hormone levels naturally begin to decline. This can lead to hormones being “out of balance”. Since hormones work with many parts of the body and control everything from hunger cravings to metabolism to sexual function and more; a small imbalance can have a big impact on you feel. By once again balancing your hormones you can start looking and feeling your best once again.

Customize Your Hormonal Replacement to Meet Your Needs.
Everybody is an individual, and this means that your hormonal needs will be as individualistic as you are. To find the best treatment for you we will carefully evaluate your need for hormone replacement therapy using diagnostic testing to create a hormonal panel. This panel is used by Dr. Vikram Jayaprakash and our team of medical professionals to create an individualized plan. We aim to stabilize your hormonal levels by replacing hormones levels that are currently low.
We use bio-identical hormones in our clinic. These hormones are chemically identical to the hormones that your body produces and often have fewer side effects than synthetic hormones. We offer a variety of different hormones depending on your unique needs including: estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, pregnenolone, testosterone and melatonin. Our approach is always as holistic and natural as possible.

Are your hormones out of balance? We can help you find the optimal balance for your health and wellbeing. While the effects of hormone replacement therapy on Alzheimer’s is yet undetermined, we know that balanced hormones are an essential part of looking and feeling your best.

Picture someone smart… in fact, go back through history and think of people that changed the course of the world as we know it. Da Vinci, Einstein, Kennedy, Thatcher.

How many of them were overweight?

The Effect of Obesity on the Brain

When most people think of obesity and its harmful and adverse effects on the body, they rarely think of the brain. Studies from 2003 to present reveal startling indications that being overweight may actually increase the risk for mental deterioration in both men and women.

The impact obesity has on the brain is harmful, making overweight individuals more susceptible to decreased brain function, inability to focus and reduced sharpness. Obesity has been linked to the premature onset of Alzheimer’s and brain inflammation. Let’s look at the details and research findings.

Obesity Linked to the Onset of Alzheimer’s

About one-third of the adults in the United States are obese. That is nearly 34% of the entire adult population. The disease is becoming an epidemic and linked to a variety of other issues and health concerns across the nation. Obesity-related issues include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and now Alzheimer’s.

Research conducted at the UCLA Medical Center determined that obese elderly patients have an average of eight-percent less brain tissue than those of the same age who are at a normal weight. Researchers determined that severe brain degeneration occurs among the elderly who are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Much of the brain tissues lost were in areas that dealt with planning, memory, movement and attention. Normal weight individuals had a brain that was much more viable and healthy than those who were obese. In fact, medical researchers showed that the brain of an obese elderly individual appeared to be 16 years older than normal.

Obesity and Brain Inflammation

An individual with a large waist circumference, in excess of eight to ten inches larger than normal, may experience inflammation in the brain. Brain inflammation with respect to obesity is not associated with encephalitis or other bacterial induced inflammation, but rather increased inflammation in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is that portion of the brain that regulates the pituitary gland, keeps blood pressure balanced and controls feeding reflexes.

When a person experiences inflammation in this area of the brain, they are more susceptible to overeating. The process is cyclical – when an individual is obese the hypothalamus becomes inflamed, causing this region of the brain to work improperly, which in turn leads to overeating. An inflamed hypothalamus has trouble recognizing fullness and the person afflicted with the condition has a tendency to overeat.

Brain inflammation has also been linked to numerous brain issues, including forgetfulness, short-term memory loss and inability to focus attention. In those approaching their mid-sixties to seventies, an increased rate of forgetfulness occurs in those who are medically considered to be obese.

Healthy Lifestyle Changes

There is no time like the present to make necessary changes in your lifestyle to eliminate the harmful effects of obesity on the brain. If you are overweight or even obese, it is not too late to change the habits that may lead to significant problems for you in the future.

Adapting a healthy nutrition plan is the first place to begin. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and healthy carbohydrates is beneficial in combating obesity. Gradual changes are necessary in order to create longevity with your diet. Try to avoid a ‘cold-turkey’ or ‘crash-diet’ approach to changes in your eating habits, as these lead to failure in the long run.

Exercise is the next element to changing your lifestyle. If you are too heavy to hit the gym on a regular basis, then start out slow. A 20-minute walk two times a day to the mailbox and back is better than nothing. Before you know it, you will be jogging with your children and living life again.

Insulin resistance is defined as a condition in which the natural insulin hormone becomes either completely or slightly ineffective at lowering blood sugars in the body. Insulin is a hormone produced by the cells located in the pancreas and is released from this location into the body to control a person’s metabolism. Insulin also regulates cells and their growth throughout the body.

When a person becomes insulin resistant, the cells within the body become more resistant to insulin and as a result, the body requires more and more of it in order to regulate its effects. Insulin resistance can lead to many health problems. Insulin resistance is typically seen in people who experience the following:

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Obesity or overweight

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High levels of stress

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Prolonged steroid use

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Metabolic syndrome

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Other diseases, including diabetes

How to Combat Insulin Resistance

Although diet and exercise are among the top choices for preventing insulin resistance, studies have shown an effective and new way to combat the condition. Progesterone therapy is being used to treat both men and women who suffer from insulin resistance. When a person is insulin resistant, the cells in the body have a difficult time taking in progesterone when blood glucose levels are out of whack. This means that progesterone finds itself harder to be absorbed when the blood glucose levels are either too low or too high.

Progesterone is responsible in women for regulating fertility, pregnancy and menstruation. It is a necessary and vital reproductive hormone that is produced naturally in the body. Men also produce small amounts of progesterone and need the hormone to help balance the metabolism.

Studies have revealed that providing individuals with progesterone therapy; insulin resistance was decreased and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism was greatly improved. The therapy is being used now to combat insulin resistance in combination with changes in lifestyle. The combination is proving to be highly effective.

Benefits of Progesterone Therapy

In addition to its role in combating insulin resistance and improving blood glucose levels in the body, progesterone therapy offers a wide variety of other health benefits. Progesterone therapy works to facilitate other hormones in the body as well, and provides valuable health components to both males and females.

In women, progesterone therapy has been found to improve the female libido, boost thyroid action and prevent osteoporosis. While these are all large claims, research is currently being done to substantiate the results even more.

In men, undergoing some degree of progesterone therapy, value-added benefits include assisting the body to metabolize fat at a quicker rate rather than storing it and protection against some forms of cancer.

Both genders experienced progesterone therapy as a natural anti-depressant, as the hormone improved mood and even tranquilized during stressful times. The benefits continue to surface on how progesterone therapy can improve a person’s health and wellness. For those utilizing progesterone therapies for insulin resistance, there are added benefits that continue to make themselves known.

Heartburn and reflux affects approximately one in five people in the western world. That’s fairly common knowledge. About the same number of people is affected by it at least once a week. If this is you, then there is probably not a lot to worry about. However, if heartburn and reflux become a factor in your life on at least two occasions a week and you haven’t been to see a health physician yet, then what are you waiting for?

Explaining Heartburn And Reflux

Heartburn is described as a burning sensation that rises up through the lower chest and to the throat. Depending on its severity, it could last for several hours. On the other hand, reflux occurs when the acid in your stomach rises up into the esophagus causing a lot of discomfort and in many cases, people have difficulty swallowing accompanied by excessive regurgitation.

Watch For The Danger Signs

Experiencing these symptoms at least twice a week should ring the alarm bells. Left untreated, there is a chance that it could cause further complications leading to other health related problems. Quite often people will suffer through these symptoms unnecessarily when a visit to the doctor would be all that’s required. Proper management of heartburn and reflux in most cases will not only alleviate the uncomfortable and sometimes painful symptoms associated with it’s occurrence but improve significantly a person’s quality of life.

Making Important Changes In Your Lifestyle

Management can include making some lifestyle changes combined with dietary adjustments. Quitting smoking is a good starting point as smoking and heartburn usually don’t mix. If stress is a constant in your life then you need to find ways of reducing it and while this could mean a drastic re-think of your current lifestyle practices, give it serious consideration.

If you are overweight then consider losing some of those extra pounds. Fitting into your clothes more comfortably will be an obvious advantage of losing weight but did you know that tight fitting clothing, especially around the waistline, is a no no for heartburn sufferers?

Avoid Certain Foods

While it’s true that chronic heartburn and reflux sufferers will suffer symptoms despite what they eat: this is usually because of further deep-rooted medical problems; there are certain foods that can aggravate heartburn and reflux symptoms in many people. One of the advantages of reviewing your situation with your doctor is that these foods can be identified and a plan can then be put into place to either avoid them completely or limit the number of times they are consumed.

Some people will suffer a heartburn or reflux attack by simply looking at some types of food. Some of these include spicy and fatty foods, alcohol and in some cases, coffee. There is also strong evidence supporting the fact that consuming food several hours before “hitting the pillow” should be avoided at all costs.

Have you ever wondered that your diet may have a profound effect on your mood and sense of well being?

Though no specific studies have been done to prove that a specific diet plan alone will work best in the treatment of clinical symptoms of depression, still there is enough evidence to show that a healthy diet can play a very important role in the management of depression in association with other treatment measures.

Ingredients of a diet that improves mood and sense of well being:

The diet should be high in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fat which are very important for the growth and repair of the body tissues.

The diet should be full of essential antioxidants which help in combating the damaging free radicals. These free radicals produced as a result of normal body functions are responsible for various illnesses including depression. Examples of antioxidants include beta carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Foods rich in antioxidants are fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes etc.

Protein-rich foods such as chicken, tuna, low fat dairy and beans and peas help to increase alertness and concentration. Therefore, protein rich foods should form a regular part of your diet.

Smart carbohydrates in the form of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains etc should be regularly included in your diet as carbohydrates helps in the formation of a mood-boosting brain chemical, serotonin.

Studies suggest that there is an association between depression and low intake of selenium rich foods. Therefore, selenium rich foods such as beans, legumes, low fat dairy products, nuts and seeds, lean meat etc should form a regular part of your diet.

Include Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the form of flaxseed, nuts, canola oil, walnuts etc in your diet. Researchers have suggested that depression may occur in individuals who suffer from a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids.

What is a Mediterranean diet?

Mediterranean diet is a balanced and healthy diet based on the diet eaten by people living in the Mediterranean countries. Various studies have been conducted to demonstrate that Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced risks of heart disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses such as depression, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Characteristics of a Mediterranean diet and its effects on depression

A typical Mediterranean diet consists of the following:

Plant based foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grains form the basic component of a Mediterranean diet. All these foods are a rich source of anti oxidants and smart carbohydrates and form an important part of the diet that helps in improving mood and depression.

Healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil are eaten in place of butter and all other types of saturated fats. Olive oil and canola oil are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, another nutrient essential for fighting depression.

Fish and poultry are regularly eaten in a Mediterranean diet. These foods are an important source of protein which is recommended to improve mood, alertness and concentration.

High fat dairy products are replaced with low fat dairy which is rich in selenium, a mineral that is essential to fight depression.

Intake of red meat and high fat meat in avoided in Mediterranean diet.

Drinking a glass of red wine for people who drink alcohol and a glass of purple grape juice for non alcoholics is recommended with dinner. Red wine is rich in antioxidants; therefore, it also helps to fight depression.

So, if you want to be happier; follow our Mediterranean cousins. I’m sure the afternoon siesta also helps as well!

Several research studies have revealed that man could have a maximum lifespan of 125 years. Our health declines long before this maximum life span due to different factors. Several peer-view publications have evaluated the fact that decline in health is mainly due to the gradual shortening of telomeres. Telomeres are the structural caps of chromosomes that shortened with each cell division. This gradual shortening of the telomeres is the sign of cell death, after about 70 to 80 cell divisions.

Telomerase, the immortality enzyme, prevents shortening of the telomere by adding bases to the ends of telomere after cell replication. Telomerase activation in the cell has significant medical application. Studies have shown that telomeres length in human cell are the markers of many degenerative disease including, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

Precancerous lesions, such as ductal carcinoma in situ for breast cancer, and prostatic and cervical intraepithelial neoplasias, have been shown to have critically shortened telomeres in situ(Meeker AK, et al. 2004).

It has been revealed from several researches that telomeres loss is low in the blood samples of athletes, professional runners and people engaged in regular exercise in them.

Physical exercise has an evident effect on the shortening of telomere, and so have a significant anti aging role. Different factors are commonly associated with telomere shortening and telomerase activation. Lifestyle changes and exercise can help in reducing telomere shortening.

Researchers have evaluated the fact that telomeres shortened less quickly in the immune system of people having a history of endurance exercise training. Physical exercise training of professional athletes leads to the activation of telomerase enzyme, which reduces telomere shortening. Regular exercise can reduce the telomere shortening in leukocytes of the athlete to decrease the risk of infections and diseases.

It has been shown that people who have active lifestyles have the telomere lengths of someone 10 or more years younger to his or her age. This also explains the association of sedentary lifestyle with age-related diseases.

In short, keep those telomeres long. Exercise doesn’t just keep your heart healthy. It just may be the secret to a longer life.

According to the 2009 International Food Information Council Foundation’s Food & Health Survey, 93% Americans believe that breakfast indeed is the ‘most important meal of the day’. However, only 44% of them consume this meal. Not only is it important to have breakfast, it is equally important to know what portions of which food should be consumed so as to lead a healthy life.

Cereals and toasts might seem convenient and easy but these carbohydrate rich foods have many ill effects. They tend to lead to elevation in the blood-sugar levels which drops as quickly as it rises leaving one hungry and tired after a short interval. According to a new research, a breakfast rich in proteins stabilizes blood-sugar levels keeping one sated for longer time period. The research reveals that eating a high protein breakfast leads to the reduction in the brain signals which controls food motivation and compulsive eating behavior.

4 Benefits of a Protein Laden Breakfast

A protein packed breakfast has many other benefits some of which are as follows:

1. Better concentration levels

The brain requires amino acids so that it can produce neurotransmitters which form a significant part of the communication system of the brain. Protein is a great source for amino acids. It is because of this that if you consume a protein packed breakfast, your brain functions in a better fashion, ensuring you an increased alertness level all through the day. According to Dr. Michael Lam’s book, Anti-Aging Diet, proteins are cell constituents and help in their regeneration. Therefore, consuming a protein rich diet helps keep you younger for longer.

2. Keeps the stomach full for longer

Proteins coupled with fiber and healthy fat help to keep you full for a longer time. This helps one deal with hunger pangs and prevents eating unhealthy junk food.

3. Controlling weight

Since proteins keep your stomach full they help you to deal with cravings in an effective manner. Since protein consumption does not leave one unsatisfied, one ends up eating healthy foods; that too in the right quantities at the right intervals.

4. Preventing diseases

Protein packed breakfast help to prevent coronary heart diseases and fluctuations in blood pressure. According to Ned Hallowell, M.D of the Hallowell Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health in Andover, Massachusetts, protein consumption also helps to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) especially among children.

It is often felt that preparing a protein packed breakfast can be time consuming. However, this is not the case. You can prepare your perfect breakfast by knowing what exactly will provide you the necessary proteins.

5 Easy Breakfast Items Laden with Proteins

1. Meat: You can eat bacon, ham or sausage. They infuse high quantities of proteins into the body system.

2. Eggs: These can be consumed in various forms, such as boiled, fried, poached, scrambled or as an omelet. They can be prepared very quickly and are economical. You can prepare this using some healthy fat, such as palm oil, coconut oil, tallow, lard, ghee or butter. This will help keep you healthy and full for long.

3. Shakes: You can also consume smoothies made from yogurt or nut butter or soy protein shakes or whey protein.

4. Breakfast casseroles: These are mostly egg based. They can also include extra items, such as meat, vegetables and cheese which can be baked at breakfast time providing you with a balanced and healthy diet.

These are some of the examples and benefits of consuming a protein packed breakfast. In the end it is important to make an informed choice so that you lead a healthy existence.

“What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know. It’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.”

-Mark Twain

I recently went out for breakfast, and whilst scanning my options on the menu card, my glance fleetingly visited the ‘Healthy Options’ section. With great disappointment I noticed that one of the items on offer was the egg white only omelette.

I went on to order the full cooked breakfast.

It does however raise a valid point. The prevalence of the notion that consuming egg yolks is a detriment to your health and provides a one-way ticket to a heart disease filled hell is a notion that is actually widespread in society. It is a perfect example of how most people are confused about nutrition.

The egg yolk is the healthiest part of the egg.

By throwing out the yolk and only consuming the egg whites, you are basically throwing out the most nutrient dense, antioxidant rich, vitamin and mineral loaded portion of the egg. In fact the egg whites hardly contain any nutrition at all! The slew of nutrients in an egg yolk is so comprehensive that a few a day probably offer better insurance than a multivitamin. It is of course true that egg whites are rich in protein. But you actually need to consume the yolks in order to balance out the amino acid profile and make the protein more bioavailable.

Still a nonbeliever? Check out the table below with the data provided by the USDA.

It should be kept in mind that the volume of the egg yolk is smaller than the white, emphasising more just how jam-packed full of nutrients you actually is.

Another interesting fact is that it yolks are a good source of Selenium. In fact a single egg yolk provides approximately 20% of your daily Selenium requirement. This helps the body make antioxidants but has also been shown to improve fertility in men. The most common nutritional deficiencies in people of developed countries according to the Interagency Board for Nutrition Monitoring are: If aagnesium, calcium, iron, folate and vitamin A, E and B6. a glance at the above table would indicate that egg yolks would go a long way to reducing those deficiencies.

One important set of nutrients that should not be overlooked is the long-chain essential fatty acids. Egg yolks contain the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid DHA, which is necessary for the brain and proper retinal function in the eye, and the long-chain omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid, which is required for the healthy skin, hair, libido, reproduction, growth and response to injury. These fatty acids are primarily needed by young children, pregnant and lactating women, and people with degenerative diseases involving oxidative stress, especially those of the nervous system such as Alzheimer’s. While fatty fish and cod liver oil supply DHA in larger amounts, egg yolks have an advantage over these foods because they also contain arachidonic acid and because they do not contain EPA, which interferes with arachidonic acid metabolism.

Eggs are an excellent source of carotenoids. These are highly absorbable forms of Lutein and Zeaxanthin. These accumulate in the back of the eye protect against age-related macular degeneration.

And now onto one of the most common misconceptions. Egg yolks have long been maligned because of their cholesterol content, but cholesterol itself does not cause heart disease. In fact, while LDL, a major carrier of cholesterol in the blood, does have a role in heart disease, it develops when poor metabolism, deficient diets and toxins destroy the LDL particle that heart disease develops. There have also been plenty of studies recently including the 2006 article in ” Current Opinion in Critical Nutrition and Metabolic Care” that indicate that eating whole eggs actually increases your good HDL cholesterol to a higher degree than LDL, hence improving the overall ratio.

But, if only it was so easy! Not all eggs are created equally. The above is all true, but is more relevant when considering organic free range eggs. Pastured eggs, meaning eggs from chickens are free to forage for grass and insects are of a much higher nutritional quality than eggs from confined chickens.

So the next time someone tells you that the best part of the egg is the white, you are now armed with the knowledge to dispute that claim. And if that fails, ponder this. It is hard to believe that our ancestors thousands of years ago threw out the yolks and only ate the egg whites. They intuitively knew that all of the nutrition was found In these yolks.

Well, it’s been a week now. For all the rugby aficionados, or those of us living in New Zealand; we can finally now breathe a collective sigh of relief. The All Blacks have finally been victorious at the Rugby World Cup 2011. And while the nation continues to ride the crest of this victory and bask in the warm afterglow of the fact that the champions were well desrving of the title, we can now look back and ask – “How did it affect us all form a health perspective?”.

The primary focus of the nation for the last six weeks has been all about the world cup and whether their beloved All Blacks could finally lift the Webb Ellis Trophy after 24 years of trying. The Rena oil spill, death of Gaddafi and EU debt crisis all seemed to have taken a back seat during this time.

Stress is a funny thing. Let’s be clear; it can be a bad thing, but it is not a scenario that is ALWAYS linked to something with a negative connotation. Stress activates our body’s sympathetic nervous system, inducing the so called ‘flight or fight’ response. This causes our adrenal glands to release a flood of hormones; the most important of which being adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline for starters, temporarily increases heart rate, elevates blood pressure and boosts energy supplies. Whilst cortisol increases blood sugar, and most importantly makes sure that this gets delivered to the brain. Don’t get me wrong, this is all good stuff – in short bursts. Infact, I will go one step further and state that this is actually essential; it is critical for growth.

Anyone who watched the game or who was at Eden Park last sunday could easily testify to the above effects. We were all at the edge of our seats for most, if not all 80 minutes of the game. Afterall, who could forget those last 5 minutes, with a nation of 4 million willing every ball carry, every inch gained and every penalty denied. And whilst that not necesarily a bad thing on any given sunday; this heightened state was a culmination of a growing sense of anticipation and concern over the preceeding 6 weeks.

It is only when stress becomes chronic and uncontrolled that it becomes an issue.When chronic stress becomes part of life, serious physical and mental health consequences can develop. This is due in part to a somewhat paradoxical problem. Prolonged exposure to adrenaline and cortisol in the bloodstream can result in chronically elevated heart rates, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. This causes a number physiological issues which have been associated with a number of conditions such as an increased risk of heart attacks, cancer, stroke, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression, asthma, psoriasis, eczema, sleep isues and memory impairment to name but a many.

In my opinion, in what can only be described as the quote of the tournament, an exhausted Richie McCaw’s first words after the final whistle was blown were – “mate, I’m absolutely shagged.” Words spoken with such perspicacity and without hubris and representative of the rest of the team. I suspect that he meant this both from a physical and an emotional perspective. This was after all, the driving force in in the lives of all 22 men over the pat 4 years.

He looked and sounded spent.

So now that the tournament is over, the players and the nation for that matter can and should attend to themselves. For sure, whilst a healthy diet, regular exercise, meditation and reducing alcohol, drugs and cigarettes will all help. There is nothing quite like reducing the underlying stressor in one’s life to help fully control things. So with the Webb Ellis trophy safely locked away for another 4 years; maybe we can now get on and do this.

We have all heard about the ‘sunshine’ role of Vitamin D. The fact that it helps in bone health is something that is now well established. But now research has come out linking Vitamin D deficiency to adverse health consequences such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and lower immune levels.

Research from John’s Hopkins University has reported that lower Vitamin D levels (deathfrom any cause.

Danish researchers have discovered that we need Vitamin D to activate our immune system’s T-Killer Cells. A lack of Vitamin D results in increased inflammation. This in turn reduces the length of the leukocyte telomeres. This telomere length is a predictor of age-related diseases. Research from King’s College, London found that people with longer telomere length have higher Vitamin D levels. This difference is equivalent to five years of telomeric aging.